Survey reveals that many New Jersey drivers text behind the wheel

Survey reveals that many New Jersey drivers text behind the wheel

A new survey revealed that a large number of drivers in New Jersey talk on their cellphone or text while operating a vehicle.

Recently, Plymouth Rock Assurance surveyed 1,000 people in New Jersey who held a valid driver’s license in the state and who also drove a vehicle at least once every week about certain dangerous driving behaviors. The results of this survey revealed that approximately 33 percent of drivers in the state have texted while operating a vehicle. Additionally, 38 percent of those surveyed admitted that they had talked to another person on a cellphone while driving without using hands-free technology.

Cellphone laws in New Jersey

Both talking on a cellphone without using hands-free technology and texting while driving are both illegal activities in New Jersey. According to Distraction.gov, the state has enacted a handheld ban as well as a texting ban that applies to drivers of all ages. Novice drivers are also not allowed to use hands-free technology when they operate a vehicle.

Many other forms of distraction exist

Although these laws are designed to prevent drivers from using their cellphone behind the wheel and causing fatal and injurious car accidents, many people in New Jersey and throughout the rest of the country become injured or die in a distracted driving accident every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than nine people die and over 1,153 people are injured in accidents involving driver distraction on a daily basis in the U.S.

Even though cellphone use is a hazardous form of distracted driving, many other distracting activities endanger the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The CDC states that distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s full attention away from driving. This means that a driver can become distracted when he or she:

  • Attempts to eat breakfast while travelling to work
  • Finishes his or her grooming routine by shaving or putting on makeup behind the wheel
  • Interacts with other passengers while his or her vehicle is in motion
  • Looks at a GPS device to get directions to his or her destination
  • Switches the station on the radio
  • Tries to read a book or a map

However, texting and driving is one of the most dangerous distracted driving activities that exists. This is because this activity is manually, visually and cognitively distracting.

Car accident injuries can be severe

Those who are injured in a car accident in New Jersey caused by a distracted driver may suffer from emotional, physical and financial harm. Furthermore, in order to recover, accident victims may require extensive rehabilitative and medical care. If you were involved in a distracted driving collision, reach out to an attorney in your area to find out what compensation may be available to you.

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